City hosts country's top brass

ONE of the country’s best brass bands is on its way to Orange to perform as part of the annual Brass Celebration.

The weekend-long event on March 9 and 10 will include the City of Orange Brass Band, Parramatta City Brass Band, the Sydney Youth Band of the Salvation Army and event highlight, the Warringah Concert Brass.

City of Orange Brass Band secretary and public officer John Moss said having the Warringah Concert Brass band come from Sydney was a coup for the event.

“We pride ourselves on being able to attract one of the best bands in the country,” he said.

Founded in 1979, Warringah Concert Brass has risen through the ranks to win the NSW A Grade championship in recent years.

The Brass Celebration will include free music events, concerts in Cook Park and a spectacular street march.

Saturday’s street march, from Robertson Park to Cook Park, is one of the highlights, Mr Moss says.

“It’s become very popular and a lot of people actually follow the march ... it stops people in their tracks,” he said.

“You get people who come across it, they love watching marching bands and you get people who are caught by surprise.”

Mr Moss said another highlight was the Saturday night concert at the Orange Civic Theatre.

“The program presented in the theatre will be totally different to the music in Cook Park,” he said.

“The sound is enhanced by the fantastic acoustics of the Orange Civic Theatre.”

On Sunday a segment of hymns will be held in Cook Park at 10am, led by the Sydney Youth Band of the Salvation Army.

Head to www.ticketek.com or the Orange Civic Theatre to purchase tickets for the Saturday evening concert.